Its all a little confusing, but cutting a long story short, it only affects early retirees to start with, pensioners are OK as are people who are working and paying into the system. For early retirees the health service is honouring their SIP cards until the expiry date (they ceased the free health cover on 5th July I think it was with no notice whatsoever). Now they have said they can renew their SIP card up until the end of 2008. At the start of 2009 early retirees will have to pay into the system an affordable amount, yet to be decided. To start with the consulate etc were saying early retirees should get private insurance or pay 220 euros per month into the system but some of the early retirees have medical problems already and would not be covered with these ailments by going private. All confusing, but it's looking like there is light at the end of the tunnel. There have been write-ups in all the local free papers. If you are an early retiree, please contact
billandpeta@gmail.com who will add you to his database and keep you informed and up to date.